Environmental Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group is a prominent global partnership consisting of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. Established with the mission to provide funding and knowledge to developing countries, the organization has 189 member countries and operates more than 120 offices worldwide. The World Bank focuses on various sectors, including infrastructure, education, health, and environmental sustainability, working closely with public and private sector partners to invest in groundbreaking projects that address urgent global challenges. The Eastern and Southern Africa Region, where this position is based, is home to about 700 million people and encompasses 26 countries, showcasing a rich diversity of cultures and economies. The World Bank's initiatives in this region aim to create jobs, build a digital economy, improve institutional efficiency, invest in human capital, support climate change mitigation, and address the drivers of fragility and conflict. The organization is committed to fostering partnerships across the African continent to enhance regional integration and development outcomes.

Job Overview:
The Environmental Specialist position at the World Bank in Nairobi, Kenya, is focused on environmental and social risk management, particularly concerning health and safety in Kenya and Somalia. This role is crucial in implementing the World Bank’s environmental and social risk management policies, including the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and Safeguard Policies. The specialist will be responsible for ensuring that all World Bank-supported investment projects adhere to high environmental, social, health, and safety standards. This position requires a proactive approach to building national systems and capacity for effective environmental management, as well as providing technical support and oversight for investment projects. The Environmental Specialist will collaborate with various stakeholders, including government agencies and local communities, to promote sustainable practices and ensure compliance with international standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Environmental Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Ensuring the effective integration of environmental, health, and safety considerations into the design, appraisal, and implementation of World Bank-supported projects, in alignment with the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and World Bank Group EHS guidelines.
• Overseeing compliance with World Bank Group EHS guidelines, IFC Performance Standards, and other relevant frameworks to ensure that projects meet required standards.
• Guiding and supporting clients and counterparts in preparing essential project documents, such as Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs), Labor Management Plans (LMPs), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), and Project Implementation Manuals (PIMs).
• Supporting timely and accurate disclosure procedures and public consultations for all required environmental assessments and management instruments.
• Providing guidance on specialized plans related to natural resource management, waste management, biodiversity, occupational health and safety, dam safety, and international waterways.
• Organizing and delivering needs assessments, capacity building, and technical training on environmental, health, and safety risk management for national agencies, local governments, and public/private sector practitioners.
• Collaborating with other World Bank teams to integrate risk management capacity development into sectoral programs.
• Working closely with the unit’s Lead Environmental and Social Specialist and the CMU ESF Coordinator to ensure quality and consistency in safeguards work and risk management across the region.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Environmental Specialist position must possess an advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in environmental or natural sciences or environmental/civil engineering, with strong technical training in related topics such as occupational health and safety, solid waste management, large-scale civil engineering, pollution prevention and control, and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of full-time, relevant professional experience in environmental management is required, which includes managing environmental, social, health, and safety risks associated with large infrastructure, extractive, or industrial projects. Familiarity with the World Bank Group ESF and similar global sustainability frameworks, as well as experience in preparing environmental safeguard/risk management documents, is essential. Candidates should also demonstrate project management and operational skills, particularly in occupational health and safety management and working with contractors of varying capacities. Experience in capacity building for environmental, health, and safety risk management is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Environmental Specialist position includes an advanced degree, either a PhD or a Master’s, in environmental or natural sciences or environmental/civil engineering. This educational foundation should be complemented by good technical training in relevant areas such as occupational health and safety, solid waste management, large-scale civil engineering, pollution prevention and control, and biodiversity conservation, ensuring that candidates are well-equipped to handle the complexities of environmental management in the context of World Bank-supported projects.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of full-time, relevant professional experience in environmental management. This experience should encompass managing environmental, social, health, and safety risks associated with large infrastructure, extractive, or industrial projects. Candidates should also have a proven track record of applying the World Bank Group ESF and/or similar global sustainability frameworks, including the preparation of environmental safeguard/risk management documents. Technical experience in managing environmental, social, health, and safety risks of large infrastructure projects, such as roads, dams, irrigation systems, and power systems, is highly desirable. Furthermore, candidates should possess strong project management and operational skills, particularly in occupational health and safety management, and experience working with contractors of varying capacities.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, fluency in Somali is considered an added advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with local stakeholders in Kenya and Somalia.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 3 years. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and promotes an inclusive workplace that does not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. The role may require extensive travel, including to remote rural areas, to effectively engage with project stakeholders and ensure compliance with environmental and social standards.